A Note from Library Director Allison Gray: 

Autumn is a great time for book publishing. It seems like many popular authors have books coming out right now and we are posting photos of the covers on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.  If you are looking for new books to read, the Library offers a personalized reading list. After you fill out the form, our Librarians will curate a long list of titles based on your favorite genres and topics, all of which will be owned by the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang Libraries.  I especially love creating these Personal Reading Lists as I get to share my love of reading and many years of reading knowledge. I am the daughter of a long-time Library Director and have been reading since I was four, so I have a lot of titles to recommend!  Our Young Adult and Children’s specialists also help make recommendations. Get started here.

Stay Connected

Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Library by following us on our Facebook (@GoletaValley Library), Instagram (goletavalleylibrary) and YouTube (Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries) accounts. We post regularly about programs, books, websites, and more. We would love you to follow us on our social media platforms! Please also visit our website, www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org, for the latest information.

We are looking forward to the day where we can get back to normal operations at our libraries but in the meantime, we appreciate your continued support and interest in all of our programs.  Be well.

B. Allison Gray
Library Director

P.S. If you received this e-newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.

Library Director Allison Gray at the Goleta Valley Library Sidewalk Service

Get Free Online Tutoring with Brainfuse HelpNow!

Brainfuse HelpNow! is a website designed specifically to provide assistance based on academic subject area, including reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Live online tutoring is available every day from 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and includes a user-friendly chat box and a shared whiteboard to work through a variety of assignments. Students even have the ability to upload a paper through the Writing Lab to receive feedback from experts on how to strengthen their essays. For older students, Brainfuse HelpNow! also offers impressive test preparation resources, including practice tests, flashcards, lessons and more for AP tests and the SAT and ACT college entrance exams. Click here to get started with Brainfuse HelpNow! Please note that you will be prompted to create a username and password after you log in. Brainfuse HelpNow! has been made available for this school year through the generous support of the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library.

Use ProQuest Homework Central for Help with Research Projects

For students who are working on research projects, ProQuest Homework Central offers access to six specialized websites that are each geared toward a specific type of research. ProQuest can help students who are looking for information on a certain subject or who are trying to decide on a topic for an upcoming paper. With information ranging from newspaper archives to trending issues to cultural data and much more, students can search and browse these helpful websites to find the research they need in order to finish their assignments with confidence. To get started with ProQuest Homework Central, click here and enter your Goleta or Santa Ynez Valley Library card number (password is not required). ProQuest Homework Central has been made available through funding from the California State Library.

Free Craft Kits You can still sign your child(ren) up for the Library’s free monthly craft kids for Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley patrons! Each month you can pick up two craft kits for each child when you come to pick up your books at the Library.  When you arrive at the Library and text or call that you are there to pick up your materials, just let us know that you also want your craft kits. It’s as easy as that! Sign up here.

Genealogy You might have some extra time on your hands – what better way to spend it than tracing your roots?  We have selected a number of really great websites to help you with this sometimes daunting process.  Click here to get started.

Are You Looking for a Long-Lost Friend or Relative? Reference USA is an extremely helpful and free website for Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library patrons that allows you to find addresses and phone numbers from all over the United States. Reference USA makes this so easy and has extensive listings of individuals, medical doctors and facilities, and businesses.

Buellton Library

Poetry Club Meets Again November 18 The new poetry club will be meeting Wednesday November 18th at 3:00 p.m. This is the second meeting in a monthly group where we discuss poetry by famous authors, create our own poetry and talk about the different styles of poetry. This month we will be reading Nikki Giovanni, Billy Collins and William Carlos Williams. Participation isn’t required; teens and adults are welcome! Please register and get the meeting link here.

DIY Paper Lantern Craft Join the Buellton Library Saturday, November 21st at 2:00 p.m. as we enjoy a fall themed craft on Facebook Live. Staff will lead a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) craft on how to make a paper lantern that will make any room cozy and set the mood for fall!  No age requirement or registration needed. For more information about supplies needed for the craft please check out the library’s Facebook @BuelltonLibraries or call the library at 805-688-3115.

New Buellton Movie Club Join the library in our NEW virtual film group every first Saturday of the month at 12:30 p.m. Each month we will discuss a different movie that is accessible for free from the library's digital resources such as Hoopla, Kanopy, or through the library catalog. For ages 18 and up. The December Buellton Movie Club will be discussing the film Locke on the 5th of the month. Please register here if you would like a reminder for the December meeting.

Solvang Library

Folded Holiday Boxes Online Craft The Solvang Library will be doing an online craft "Folded Holiday Boxes" on December 3rd at 3:00 p.m. Patrons will be able to pick up a kit from the Library with all the materials and follow the live online instruction via Facebook. Stay tuned for more information on the Library Events Calendar.

Thank you for your interest and support in our libraries. Happy Reading!